Vehicle wheel cover



Dec. 13, 1949 G. A. LYON VEHICLE WHEEL COVER Filed July 21, 1945 Patented Dec. 13, 1949 UNITED STATES -T EN T OFFICE "VEHICLE WHEELGOVER George Albert Lyon, Allenhurst, 'NIJ.

- Appl-ication July 21, 1945, Serial No. 606,392 11 Claims. (01.301 37) This invention relates to'a'n improved wheel intermediate circular part cross-sectionally constructure and is directed more particularly to figurated to provide aradially outwardly extendan improved cover assembly therefor. ing ribbed part behind which the radially in- The subject-matter of the present applica- 'ner margin of the annular cover may extendto tion has been divided froinmy copending appli- =5 afford a unitary, multi-part cover assembly, the cation Serial No. 513,031 'filed December 6, 1943, junction between the cover parts "affording nowmatured into Pat. No. 2,42l,384"issued June lateral movement of the radially outer portions 3, I947. of the annular-cover-membersto accommodate It is an i DO HQ J present expansion or the 'side Wall of the tireunder load Vention to p d r disposition the P 'Y bearing conditions without the imposition of side of a wheel structure a oov'er ss y -undue, localized stresses and strainsof=any part eludin a 0 6 "annular ipart formed from of the annular cover member when 'so flexed.

sheet synthetic plastic material or the like; hav- It ot firm e t pr -ingcharacteristicsenabling it to be resiliently, 'Vide reinforcing retai i g-m a f t 's' ilocally, temporarily fle'xed and yete i it fcover which'will'not 'onlyserve the purpose of Ito e self.sustarir.illinglias.'tmform and i "holding the cover on the wheel butwhich "will 'diately snap baok i initial configuratlon in'addition serve as a backing for the cover when distorting "pressures are relieved there- "thereby from and -a central circularhub'cap simulating boven cover portion formed 3? from *more rigid material 22 *such as thin s'heet steel or the like, this central portion being provided 'W-ith means for detacn- "ably engaging the wheel structure and with further means for retainingly "engaging the outer plastic cover member so that the cover assembly may be removably maintaine'd upon the wheel structure as *a *unitary assembly.

reinforcing and strengthening the In accordance with the general features of is invention, there is provided in a cover structure for a wheel including -multi flanged rim and body-parts, a central metal wheel cover 25 having an outer marginal-portion turned back lIDOII'ItSEIf for a snap-on engagement with a "flange of therim-part and provided with a ra- It is still anotherobjet of them vention to d1ally inwardshoulder on which-is 'detachably "Provide for dispositionover the outer'side of a retamed a plastic Cover nulus extending wheel structure, a cover assembly including an v W i aldly' overthe flange outer annular sheet's'y'nt-hetic'plastic co'ver'nieinof the rlm part concealmg the retaining her and a central circularhub cap simulating meansreceive and rigidity and 'reinforce the outer b the latter'bein -formed "o retainingly ,Q Objects and advantages of the invention mem er g "W111 become apparent from the following descripcover member and having me'ans arranged for mm and accompanying i gS in which:

detachable engagement with the wheel struc- I Figure l isQaSide wo 'a Wheel i g m ture. 7 novel cover assembly applied thereto;

It'is a furtherbbject ofthe invention to'pro- Flgure an ged fragmentary crossresiliently, temporarily, locally flexible portion formed from sheet synthetic plastic material vide for disposition over "a wheel structure, "a j e al Y -ta n nline IIII o cover assembly including an outer m '40 -look1ng ln'the direction-indicated by the arrows;

t ure -3 is afragmentary sectional view illustrolling a modification of my invention.

or the like, said annular portion having a crossh D l h ld be noted in both Sectional configuration m' j and forms of the'inv'ention'to be'described herein- -pense that it extends entirelyjover the tire rim l Wheel fohcafrying the p eumatic tire of a wheel structureand radially outwardly betubeis more or less a conventional pe of yond the same into adjacency with the side wall -tilt0111010118 Wheel- 'Sll'ch Wh e as iS now Well of a tire therein and radially inwardly to a known, includes a multi-fianged drop center-tire point beyond the junction tithe tire rim an a frimi a h a i a 'd i 'e o v' central load bearing portion thereof and having both of which parts will be designated hereina cross-sectionalshape so as toge'nerally simuafter. 7 late the shape of the side-wall of a tire in the In the constructions shown in-Figures :2 and tire rim-to give the appearance of being a con- 3, the wheel assemblies are identical and like tinuation'thereof and-to-give the appearance of, *parts will be similarly identified.

being a white side wallon a massive tire, when Referring particularly to Figure 2 the wheel colored white, the cover assembly also including assemblyincludes a tire rim fit-having a base a central circulanhub -cap simulating member flange 3'l-'and a central=loadbearing portion 38 having means thereon for detachablyengaging having a generally axially inwardly extending 3 with a portion ofthe whee1-and also having an --peripheral skirt-or'flange-SQ which may be secured to the base flange 31 as by riveting or welding or the like.

The tire rim 36 is further provided with opposite side wall flanges 40, opposite intermediate flanges 4| and opposite edge portions 42 between which may be disposed a suitable pneumatic tire 43 having an inner tube 44.

In this tire rim construction there is provided at the junction of the respective side wall flanges 40 and intermediate flanges 4| a circular, radially inwardly facing curvate portion 45 which affords a radially outwardly extending groove having at its axially outer side a radially inwardly extending shoulder 46. The curvate portion 45 serves the dual purpose of securely anchoring the beads of the tire 43 in their proper position against the radially outer surfaces of the respective flanges of the tire rim and also serves to aid in the detachable retention of the cover assembly upon the wheel structure as will be explained more clearly presently.

In this construction the cover assembly is completed by the provision of an inner circular hub cap simulating cover member 48 formed preferably from relatively rigid material such as sheet metal or the like. The cover member 48 is provided at a cross-sectionally intermediate part thereof with a circularly, generally radially outwardly extending rib 49 that defines the axially outer side of a radially outwardly opening grooved portion 50 from which extends a generally radially outwardly disposed flange connected with a generally axially outwardly extending portion 52 by means of an intermediate cross-sectionally curvate portion 53 preferably comprising a plurality of separate, circularly disposed resilient members. Each of these members 53 has one end connecting with the flange 5| and the other end connecting integrally with the generally axially extending portion 52. As will be seen from Figure 2 the portion 52 preferably terminates in a beaded, generally radially outwardly extending edge 54, the purpose of which will be described presently.

In the cover assembly shown in Figure 2 the cover member 41 is first elastically sprung at the radially inner margin thereof into the grooved portion 50 of the cover member 48 whereupon there is provided a unitary assembly comprising a plurality of cover parts. Thereafter, the unitary assembly may be aligned concentrically with the wheel structure and the cover member 48 pressed axially inwardly so that the resilient elements 53 are sprung radially inwardly until the axially outer portions thereof pass the shoulder 46 in the flange 4| of the tire rim. In order that this axial inward movement may be delimited it will be seen that the beaded edge 54 of the portion 52 of the cover member 48 is arranged so that as the members 53 reach their ultimate, attaching position the bead 54 abuts the adjacent portion of the outer surface of the edge portion 42 of the tire rim 36.

In removing the cover assembly of Figure 2 "from the wheel structure it will be seen that Alternatively, the cover may be removed from the wheel by inserting the point of the pry-oif tool behind the rib 49.

In the construction of Figure 3 the cover assembly includes a radially outer cover portion 56 having the attributes of the cover portion 41 of the construction shown in Figure 2. There is also provided in this construction a central hub cap simulating cover portion 51 having a central crowned portion 58 bordered by a generally radially outwardly extending bead 59 which in turn defines the axially outer part of a generally axially outwardly opening and inwardly extending grooved portion 60. This grooved portion 60 is bordered on one side by the radially-axially inner extremity of a generally radially outwardly, axially outwardly, obliquely disposed flange 6| which serves to back up the more flexible cover member 56 in a manner to be described presently.

The flange 6| of the cover member 51 terminates in an intermediate portion formed to provide a generally radially outwardly extending bead 62 which is arranged to abuttingly engage the outer surface of the radially inner part of the edge portion 42 of the tire rim 36, there being provided on the cover member 51 a marginal part comprising a generally axially inwardly extending flange 63 terminating in a radially outwardly curved, circular flange portion 64.

In utilizing the cover assembly shown in Figure 3, the cover member 56 is first secured at its radially inner edge to the cover member 51 in the manner described in conjunction with the construction of Figure 2. Thereafter the entire assembly is concentrically aligned with the wheel to which it is to be attached and urged axially inwardly until the radially outwardly extending rib 62 abuts the adjacent part of the surface of the edge portion of the tire rim. At this time the curved portion 64 of the cover member 51, which curved portion may be split radially at circumferentially spaced points if desired, will come into nested relationship with the groove formed between the respective side wall flange 40 and the respective intermediate flange 4| of the tire rim. When the parts are in this position it will be seen that the cover is securely yet detachably maintained upon the wheel structure and that the radially inner part of the cover member 56 is backed up or reinforced against crushing forces by the flange 6| of cover member 51.

In order to remove the cover assembly of Figure 3 from the wheel structure a pry-off tool may be inserted behind the cover member 56 as described in conjunction with the construction of Figure 2, whereupon the bead or rib 62 may be pried axially outwardly of the wheel or if desired the point of the pry-off tool may be inserted behind the rib or head 59.

From the foregoing it will be seen that in each of the embodiments disclosed herein there is provided an outer annular cover member formed from sheet synthetic plastic material or the like and extending radially outwardly beyond the edge portion of a tire rim to simulate the configuration of the side wall of the tire and to give an appearance of being a continuation thereof and the white side wall of a tire when colored white. There is also provided in each of the embodiments a central circular hub cap simulating cover portion preferably formed from a more rigid material such as sheet metal or the like, each central cover portion having a generally axially extending retaining part for retainingly engaging a portion of the wheel structure and for aligning the cover assembly therewith, each having an rabutment" portion-arrangedto abutting-1y I engage '"an adjacent portionoffthe'axial-1youter-surface A of theiwheel structure to delimit the axially i- "ward 'movementof the cover-assembly during an "attaching operation and--each having an-in-termediate, circular, --rein-forcing -rib for receiving 'the radially inner part of the outer cover member.

"I claimasmy invention:

7 1. Ina-wheel structure including-a flanged-tire rim and a" central load bearing portion secured thereto,-saidtire rim being provided-with a-radielly-inwardly opening groove at substantially the "junction of certain of said flanges -thereof,, a multi-part, unitaryrover-assembly vfor z.'disposi =tion- -over the outerside oirthe wheelstructure.in-

-clud-inga radially outer part formed; from; sheet -synthetic plastic material and having a :cross- "sectional configuration whereby it substantially simulates thes'i-dewall of aztire in saidtire, rim

to give "the appearance of I beingia-xcontinuation "thereof and a eentral circuIar-hubLca-psimulating cover part including :a: central crowned portion fliefine'd at -i-ts radiallytouter partfiby a circular, generally radially ..outwardly opening groove arranged' to retainingly:receive.ithearadiallyrinner --'-marg inof said outer coverlmember, said central Jdetachable :engagement 'of the cover assembly .:.under:the'wheel structure.

. 3 2.In a'iwheelstructure including a flanged tire rim andacentral load bearing portion secured itheret -said tire rim being providedlwithia radiallyl inwardly opening groove atsubstantially the junction of :certain of said flanges thereof, a

ultiepart, unitary:covereassembly for disposition over'rthe outer side-ofthe wheel structure :including-a radiallyouter part formed from sheet :synthetic plastic material and-a central circular .vhubtcapsimulating cover; part including a central -:-crownedeportionwdefined'at its radially outer part sbyca circular; generally radially-outwardly openting, groove arranged to retainingly-receivethe radially inner margin of said outer @cover. member,-'said' central" hub 1 cap simulating -.cover :part

"part -byca*circiilaixegenerarlly radially-outwardly opening 'groove arranged z-to retain-i-ngly receive t-he radially *innermargi-n -=of said----outer ouver member, said eentral hub cap simulating cover part i-nc'ludi-ng "a generally radially extending flange-terminating in a generally axially extendin-g flangeg the junctionof saidflanges comprisi-ng a'plural ityof radiallyputwardly humped por- =-tions-arranged-- to into-saidmedially] inwardly "extending groovecofsasaiditire rim to provide for detachable engagement :of 'the cover assembl-y onto the wheel structure.

4. 2in a wheel structurei.including ailangedstire "rim and -a central 'load bearing portion secured V thereto, said tire rim being"provided with: a radi- :a=lly i-nwardly openingwgroove :atlsubstantially. the Junction of -certainiofsaid flanges gthereof, =.a multiepart, unitary ccover. assembly ;for disposi- *tion overthe aouter side-of the wheel structure including aa-iradially outer part :formed from "sheet "synthetic plasticrrmaterial and ;a :central circular hub-:cap simulating -cover part..inc 1udinga central crowned .portion defined .-at its 1radiallyrouter ipartrbyv,a circular, .igenerallyradisally nutvyardlympening groove arranged =to.;re- 1 tainingly -receive ithe izradially .inner margln f rsaid :outer cover imember l said central ghub :cap 1:.simulati11gc0overpartiincluding agenerally. radiaally..,extendm ;flangerterminating in aplurality 30 of :radial-lyr outwardly humped port-ions arranged 'cto fitintosaid radiallyeinwardlyextending groove 10f lsaid 1tire :rim lto izprovide for detachable engagement of the cover assembly ontoithe wheel =structure.

;a swheelcstructure including a flanged rtirearim and a: entral load bearing -portio n -secured:theretdgsaidztiregrim being provided with aa;radia:1ly inwardlyxppening groove at substantially vthe junction Of certain of said flanges a loithereof,=a wmulti-part, unitary cover assembly includinga radiallyouter-annularportion formed lfrom sheetsmthetic plastic materialand alcen- ;tral-scircular hub cap simulating portion having =;a-central crovvned part defined on its radially .45 muter-jedgenbyqa generally"radially extending annular, hump ibeh-induwhich the radially inner :margin :of -,.the iouter covermember may be rertainingly disposed,-said .hub cap simulating cover ,portion also :including .a generally axially out- 0 ardl ,radiall rout, d1 bl uel "d' "including-a-.-generally"radially:outwardly extend- 5 w y war y 0 1q y lsposed =in-g flange terminating: in agenera-lly-axially outuwardly extending flange, the junction of said '1 flanges comprising :a plurality of radially outwardlyhumped portions-"arranged to. fit into said flange arranged to extend behind the radially .dnner a portion of said M outer cover 1 member and .terminating in -.a ,generally axially extending .fiange having the terminal portion configurated .t iresilientl :en ein-sai ro ve of th tre -fra-dially inwardlyextending-groove of sa1dt1re' y gag d g o e 1 rim to provide. for detachablewengagement of the :cover assembly onto "the wheel .-structure, said --axially outwardly extending flange terminating -.vvheel structure in detachable radiallynutwardly extendingedge fioirimrandta centraLload bearing portion secured uto-abuttingly' enga e a'zgenerally radially extending portion of the tire rim to delimit axial-inward movement of'thecovervassembly on the Wheel structure during a cover attachment operation.

n a Wheel Structure inifludmg a flanged .sition overthe outeraside of the wheel structure tral crowned portion defined at its radially outer 375 thereto,saidtire r-imbeing providedwith a radiqallyinwardly openingagroove at substantially, the junction of certain of said flanges thereof, im-ultiepart, iunitary -,cover assembly for 'dispo linclud-inga'ra'dially outer part formed from sheet .synthetic,plastic-material and a central circular zhub cap simulatingcover part including a central :crowned portion defined at its radially outer part -by-;a.circular,; generally radially outwardly open- .ing-groove arrangedto retainingly receive the tradially inner: margin of said outer cover member,

ssa-id-lcentral;hub-,cap--simulating cover part in- :cluding:,a,;,generally -radially outwardly extending .;=.fl ange terminating ;.-in ma generally axially outwardl'y extending flange, the junction of said flanges comprising a plurality of radially outwardly humped portions arranged to flt into said radially inwardly extending groove of said tire rim to provide for detachable engagement of the cover assembly under the wheel structure.

"I. In a wheel structure including a flanged tire rim and a central load bearing portion secured thereto, said tire rim being provided with a radially inwardly opening groove at substantially the junction of certain of said flanges thereof, a multi-part, unitary cover assembly including a radially outer annular portion formed from sheet synthetic plastic material and a central circular hub cap simulating portion having a central crowned part defined on its radially outer edge by a generally radially extending annular hump behind which the radially inner margin of the outer cover member may be retainingly disposed, said hub cap simulating cover portion also including a generally obliquely disposed flange arranged to extend behind the radially inner portion of said outer cover member and terminating in a generally radially extending rib arranged to abuttingly engage a portion of the tire rim to delimit axial inward movement of the cover assembly on the wheel structure during an attachment operation, said rib terminating in a generally axially extending flange provided with a terminal configuration whereby it resiliently, detachably engages in the groove of the tire rim to maintain the cover assembly on the wheel structure.

8. In a wheel structure including a flanged tire rim and a central load bearing portion secured thereto, said tire rim being provided with a radially inwardly opening groove at substantially the junction of certain of said flanges thereof, a multi-part, unitary cover assembly for disposition over the outer side of the wheel structure including a radially outer part having a cross-sectional configuration whereby it substantially simulates the side wall of a tire in said tire rim to give the appearance of being a continuation thereof and a central circular hub cap simulating cover part including a central crowned portion defined at its radially outer part by a circular, generally radially outwardly opening groove arranged to retainingly receive the radially inner margin of said outer cover member, said central hub cap simulating cover part including a generally radially outwardly extending flange terminating in a generally axially extendin portion, the junction of said flange and flange portion comprising tire rim engaging means and the extremity of said flange portion constituting a further tire rim engaging means, one of said tire rim engaging means being detachably engageable in said tire rim groove and the other of said means engaging the tire rim at a point spaced from said groove and functioning to delimit axially inward movement of the cover assembly.

9. In a wheel structure including a flanged tire rim and a central load bearing portion secured thereto, said tire rim being provided with a radially inwardly opening groove at substantially the junction of certain of said flanges thereof, a multi-part, unitary cover assembly for disposi- ,sembled with ing cover part including a central crowned portion defined at its radially outer part by a circular, generally radially outwardly opening groove arranged to retainingly receive the radially inner margin of said outer cover member, said central hub cap simulating cover part including a generaliy radially outwardly extending flange terminating in a generally axially extending portion, the junction of said flange and flange portion comprising a generally radially outwardly extending tire rim engaging structure and the extremity of said flange portion also comprising a generally radially outwardly extending tire rim engaging structure, one of said tire rim engaging structures being engageable in said tire rim groove and the other of said tire rim engaging structures engaging the tire rim in spaced relation thereto and serving to delimit axially inward movement of the cover assembly on the wheel.

10. In a wheel cover for a wheel including a flanged tire rim including a generally axially extending flange formed with a radially inwardly opening groove, a circular plastic cover member and a circular member constructed and arranged to retain the plastic member on the wheel and having a portion thereof adapted to enter into snap-on and oii detachable engagement, within the tire rim groove and another portion thereof disposed axially outwardly from the groove-engaging portion and projecting radially outwardly to provide a pry-off projection for engagement by a pry off tool to dislodge the cover by effecting disengagement of said groove-engaging portion from the rim groove, said circular retaining member having an annular groove therein and said plastic cover member having a circular edge assaid retaining member within said groove whereby to afford a self-contained unit.

11. In a wheel cover for a wheel including a U flanged tire rim including a generally axially tion over the outer side of the wheel structure including a radially outer part having a crosssectional configuration whereby it substantially simulates the side wall of a tire in said tire rim to give the appearance of being a continuation thereof and a central circular hub cap simulatextending flange formed with a radially inwardly opening groove, a circular plastic cover member and a circular member constructed and arranged to retain the plastic member on the wheel and having a portion thereof adapted to enter into snap-on and ofi detachable engagement within the tire rim groove and another portion thereof disposed axially outwardly from the groove-engaging portion and projecting radially outwardly to provide a pry-oii projection for engagement by a pry-off tool to dislodge the cover by efiecting disengagement of said groove-engaging portion from the rim groove, said circular retaining member having an annular groove therein and said plastic cover member having a circular edge assembled with said retaining member within said groove whereby to afford a self-contained unit, said groove and the retaining member being defined by a generally radially outwardly extending rib engageable by a pry-off tool upon flexure of the plastic cover member for access thereto by said tool.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,308,617 Lyon Jan. 19, 1943 2,309,519 Lyon Jan. 26, 1943 2.368.243 Lyon Jan. 30, 1945 2,368,246 Lyon Jan. 30, 1945 

